Coolant life, test strips etc. ? Help Discussion

[jaywish]

I flushed and filled the cooling systems in the Escape & TC 5yrs ago using Prestone 5 yr coolant and distilled water The miles I accumulated on each vehicle is pretty low. I can see the color of the coolant is not as vibrant as it was when I first changed it but it is still clean.

I am not anxious to find the necessary time to do another flush and fill.

So I am being tempted by the siren song of 4-way test strips. Of course I would use the refractometer as well.

According to the interweb 4 way strips test for Nitrite, Molybdate, Glycol and pH.

I Could also test coolant < .3-.4 volts at a fast idle. But I don't know if this is redundant given the strips and meter.

So are these reasonable methods to go for "extended" coolant life?

Or what should we all know here?

[sly]

The problem is usually in the bottom of the radiator or lower rad hose and that's the buildup of bacteria/sludge. The top can still look fine, but if you're seeing any tan colored film in the tank (other than what was already there) you may be dealing with some build up. I think some of those test strips test for that through the viability of the anti-corrosives still in the fluid. If those are low, the buildup happens faster IIRC. I know I've had to deal with that long term, but that was after 5-7 years in my high mileage cars. I typically have to change out the coolant within 5 years due to hose failures anyhow, but when it has gone a good 5-7 years, the bottom end was nasty.

[jaywish]

I bought Wix 3-way strips. Nitrates, Temp, PH.

Both cars, Escape & TC, with normal 5 yr prestone tested the same. So I tested a new 50/50 mix of 5yr prestone and the results came out the same as the 5yr old coolant in the cars. PH of 7 and no Nitrates.
I will do the voltage test at some point. Still got to test the other two. Pic of Escape vs fresh mix.

[gadget73]

that sounds promising

I need to change the coolant in the Mark VII. Don't know how old it is, but when I drained it because I was planning to do the AC evaporator I noticed it had some crusty stuff in there. Dumped it back in temporarily to actually confirm the problem 2 years ago and its still in there. Kind of looks like it was mixed with tap water type of deposit, but nothing too sketchy. Still don't need or want it in there.

[DerekTheGreat]

All of my cars need a flush.